Merino/Yak – Sold by the ounce

Sold by the ounceThis 50/50 fiber combination of White Yak and Merino Top has the luxury feel of cashmere, without the price points. The yak has a quiet luster and accepts dye very richly and has an approximately 4.5 inch staple.

The Yak is an essential part of the lives of nomadic people living in eastern Asia. They are sturdy little animals that are used for their fibers, milk and as pack animals. Their downy undercoat is fine and short but in the preparations into top, they spin easily. The fiber comes in a deep chocolate brown as well as what we call “de-pigmented”, or white. It feels cool against the skin but keeps the wearer comfortably warm and is especially prized in blends with merino or tussah silk. Spin it tightly or with lots of loft, depending upon your final product.

Our ready-to-spin Yak/Merino fibers are cleaned and dehaired.

Yak fiber is soft and smooth with wonderful hand. It exists in several colors, including shades of gray, brown, black and white. The mean length of yak fiber is about 1.2 inches with a fiber fineness of 15-22 microns. It is combed or shed from the yak and then dehaired. The result is a splendid downy fiber similar to that of the camel. Yak Wool has always been one of my favorite fibers so I have put a great deal of effort into finding the best yak wool possible. Weaver Creek Fibers offers extremely soft yak wool (ranging from approximately 18.5 – 21 microns) with virtually no guard hair. Many hand spinners are afraid of yak wools short staple length in that it is only approximately one inch long. But because yak wool has great crimp and is not slippery, it is actually quite easy to spin. It makes a terrific lofty, woolen spun yarn. Merino sheep are known for their dense fine wool with lots of crimp, making for a soft and bouncy yarn. It takes dye very well and on its own is prized for softness and in blends with our other luxury fibers makes for a perfect companion. The Merino breed originated in Spain and quickly took hold around the world. Some of the very finest comes from Australia.